Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani accused Congressman Carlos
Bruce of introducing a civil unions bill to “justify his [sexual]
orientation.”
Bruce, a divorced father of two sons, is an outspoken supporter of
gay rights.
During an appearance over the weekend on RPP
Noticias (RPP News), Cipriani, the leader of the Peruvian Roman
Catholic Church, reiterated his claim that civil unions make a
“caricature of marriage" – saying that gay couples can achieve
similar goals through legal contracts – and suggested that Bruce is
gay.
“It doesn't seem to me that we have named congressmen in order
to justify their own [sexual] orientation,” said Cipriani, also the
bishop of Lima.
“I regret that … [the cardinal] is bringing up personal
matters … I will not answer such vileness,” Bruce, a popular
political figure in Peru, reportedly said in response.
The day after Cipriani's remarks, the tabloid La
Razon's front page screamed: “Cipriani Pulls Bruce Out Of
The Closet.”
(Related: Will
it be civil unions for gay couples in Peru?)